It's easy to take car trips for granted. However, failing to prepare for potential emergencies can leave you in a tough spot when something goes wrong. Preparation helps protect lives, reduce risks, and create a more comfortable travel experience.

Why Prepare for Roadside Emergencies?

Being prepared for roadside emergencies is fundamentally about safety. The unexpected can happen anytime; having the necessary supplies and knowledge on hand can make all the difference in addressing immediate threats. It also helps you reduce risk, mitigating the severity of emergencies. Preparedness is a proactive approach to minimize stress and anxiety when unexpected incidents occur.

Preparing ahead of time makes it possible to respond quickly in emergencies when seconds count. It fosters a sense of self-sufficiency, enabling drivers to handle minor issues independently and prevent the escalation of certain emergencies.

15 of the Most Common Roadside Emergencies

Here are the most common emergencies you are likely to face on the road, with a few quick tips on how to be prepared to handle them.

1. Flat Tire: Always keep a spare tire filled with air, a jack, a lug wrench, and tire repair kit in your car since flat tires are one of the most common vehicle breakdowns.
2. Running Out of Gas: Watch your fuel gauge regularly and make sure it's in good working order.
3. Dead Battery: Carry jumper cables or a portable jump starter in case your battery dies on the road. To protect your battery life, don't use electronics or lights with the engine off.
4. Overheating Engine: Do you have an older car with an engine that tends to run hot? Keep coolant and water on hand and know how to safely add them when needed.
5. Accident or Collision: Keep a first aid kit, reflective triangles, and an emergency hammer in the car in case you ever get in an accident.
6. Locked Out of the Car: Keep a spare key and a locksmith's contact information in case you ever leave your keys in a locked car.
7. Wet, Icy, or Snowy Conditions: Carry an ice scraper and snow brush to keep your windshield clear. During the winter months, carry a shovel, tow straps, and traction aids (like sand or kitty litter) in case you have to dig your vehicle out of the snow or a muddy area.
8. Fog or Poor Visibility: Keep reflective vests or roadside flares in your emergency kit to help other drivers see you on the side of the road when visibility isn't great.
9. Loss of Steering Control: Keep both hands on the wheel in case you skid on rocks or something slippery.
10. Wildlife Collisions: If an animal runs on the road, you must be alert enough to brake or swerve safely (without hitting other cars).
11. Vehicle Breakdown: Have a cell phone charger, drinking water, and non-perishable snacks in case your vehicle runs out of gas or breaks down.
12. Extreme Weather: Prepare for temperature extremes with blankets, warm clothing, extra water, and other emergency supplies for passengers.
13. Medical Emergencies: Carry a first aid kit, medications, and emergency contact information in case you need supplies immediately while on the road.
14. Flooded Roads: Avoid flooded areas and know how to respond if trapped in rising water. Never drive through water if you can help it, especially if it is 6 inches or higher.
15. Lost or Stranded: Keep maps, a compass, and a GPS device or smartphone with offline maps in your car if you get lost in an unfamiliar area.